The Bonita Fire department now has small, pet oxygen masks in its arsenal of tools. The special masks cover the snout of a dog or a cat. Fire-rescue spokeswoman Debbi Redfield says having the easy-to-use masks can make all the difference in a fire.

“Pets really become part of people’s families and some people even consider them as close as their children. And a lot of times pets become confused. They hide under beds. They hide under sofas. They get very scared when there is a fire instead of running out of the house. So they’re very susceptible to smoke inhalation injuries.”